Adamson University has been to the UAAP Final 4 only once since the format was institutionalized: 2006, the same year Ken Bono was named MVP. At the helm is the same man who leads them now, Coach Leo Austria. Austria is a multi-titled coach who has won titles in the tough PBL circuit. He is still looking for his first UAAP title though. “My son Raymond is lucky, he already has two UAAP championships, back to back at that,” he said with a laugh during one conversation. The younger Austria is a member of the Ateneo Blue Eagles.

How far the Soaring Falcons can go in Season 73, whether or not they will return to the Final 4, is going to rest as much on the coaching brilliance of Austria as well as how his players respond to the challenge this season. Certainly this just-concluded summer season has been revealing. Adamson ousted reigning UAAP champion Ateneo De Manila in one major summer tournament in a quarterfinal clash. They did it with defense and a bit of luck from the outside. They very nearly made it two upsets in a row, as another UAAP powerhouse Far Eastern University needed an overtime to get past the Falcons in the semifinal of that same tournament. “I’m hoping we can finish strong and be consistent, hold on to the lead all the way to the end,” Austria said in the post-game interview.

A lot of talented veterans and a number of up and coming young players will return for the Season 73 campaign. Arguably the most important returnees are two pointguards who play like chain lightning: 5-foot-7 Jeric Canada and 5-foot-8 Lester Alvarez. Both are speed demons who are highly accomplished in breaking down defenses with their dribble drive. Canada is the more accomplished pop-shooter on the drive and pull-up game. Alvarez is a better shooter from beyond the three-point arc. Both are excellent handlers and passers and know how to get the ball to teammates. Whoever starts and whoever comes off the bench makes no difference; Adamson loses nothing with this pair alternating at the 1 spot. Other important returnees include: 6-foot-6 wide-shouldered center Mike Galinato, 6-foot-4 forward-center Eric Camson, versatile 6-foot-3 forward Jan Colina, 6-foot-1 jumping jack swingman Alex Nuyles and the play-alike pair of 6-foot-3 forwards, Roy Cabrera and Julius Lozada. Nuyles had the best summer of the entire group, being named among the Mythical 5 of the Fil Oil tournament after averaging some 17 points while leading the Falcons to the Final 4.

Newcomers of note are 6-foot guard Elmer Etrone, 6-foot-1 guard Brian Stinnet from Guam, and 6-foot-6 forward-center Austin Manyara from Africa. All three paid their dues on the Adamson B Team and should be ready for UAAP action. Stinnet should provide some size at the 1 spot where he spends half his playing time. Manyara is highly athletic but needs to rein in his predilection for taking outside jumpers. Etrone is a shooter who can help open up opposing defenses form the 2 and 3 spots.

In women’s division action, the Lady Falcons should be ready to defend their title with nearly everyone of note from the title team returning this season led by 5-foot-9 center Amby Almazan. The Lady Falcons handily beat Lasalle to cop the most recent Fr Martin Cup summer tournament title. Junior division action might be touch and go for the Baby Falcons though, as they did not make too much noise in the offseason.